How to Build a Large Reptile Cage

How to Build a Large Reptile Cage. Reptiles are typically very easy animals to care for, and when you are thinking about keeping reptiles of any sort, whether they are lizards or snakes, think about building your own reptile cage. Glass tanks and store-bought enclosures can be expensive, and the truth of the matter is that most reptiles will do very well in a reptile cage that you can construct yourself.

Things Needed

• Plastic tub with latching lid
• Water
• Soap
• Awl
• Heat-resistant tape
• Reptile heating pad
• Hydrometer gauge
• Thermometer gauge
• 4 water bottle tops
• Super glue
• Substrate
• Water bowl

Step 1

Choose a plastic tub. Large plastic tubs can be purchased very easily from any home improvement store. Unless your reptile is a climber, horizontal space will be preferable to vertical space. Look for a tub that is wide and shallow and will give your reptile the space he needs. Remember that some reptiles require smaller spaces to feel comfortable.

Step 2

Wash out your plastic tub with soap and water, rinsing it thoroughly. This will eliminate any off-gassing from the tub before you work with it and before you install your reptile. Many reptiles have fairly sensitive respiratory systems and doing this will keep your pet healthier

Step 3

Poke holes into the sides and lids with your awl, going from the outside in. The sharp edges of the hole should be pointed away from your animal. These holes are going to provide air flow into the cage and help regulate the humidity, so make sure that you have plenty. Between 20 and 30 holes should be enough.

Step 4

Tape your reptile heating pad to the bottom of the plastic tub using heat-resistant tape. This pad should be placed toward one end of the tub, rather than centered, as this will allow your reptile to regulate his temperature between a cool side of the cage and a warmer side.

Step 5

Glue one water bottle top to each corner of the tub with super glue. These will serve as the feet for your tank and keep it clear of the ground. It keeps the reptile heating pad from putting burn marks into your floor or your table.

Step 6

Attach the hydrometer gauge and the thermometer gauge to the inside of the tank. Many of these gauges come with their own adhesive, or you can simply use super glue to do this. Place them about halfway up the wall of the tub and make sure that you can read them.

Step 7

Add substrate to the tank. Make sure that you choose a substrate that is going to be good for your reptile. Never use sand because it will cause impactions. Paper towels and newspapers may not look pretty, but they are excellent forms of reptile substrate that can be easily thrown out and replaced when they have been soiled.

Step 8

Fill the water bowl and set it in your tank.

Warnings

• Allow the heat source to run for a few hours before you put your reptile in the tank. This will allow you to see how hot the tank gets and whether the temperature is a good one for your reptile.
• You can adjust the temperature and humidity by poking more holes into the tub or closing them up with duct tape.
• To get holes that are neater than the ones that are made by the awl, consider using a soldering iron.
• If your reptile has more heat needs that can be supplied by a reptile heating pad, consider adding a lamp of some sort to the cage.

References

• Pet Snakes: Homemade Snake Cages
• Ball Python Forum: Plastic Tub vs. Glass Aquarium--Temperament